Collapsible Garment Bag

ABSTRACT

A garment bag having a base portion with a closed bottom and one or more sidewalls extending from the closed bottom to a top region to define an interior space and a collapsible portion having a generally enclosed top end and an open bottom end, the bottom end is attached to the one or more sidewalls around a perimeter thereof and proximate the top region is disclosed. The collapsible portion formed is from a flexible material and has an opening means. The collapsible portion is positionable in a first position in which the collapsible portion is collapsed into the interior space and a second position in which the collapsible portion extends away from the top region of the base portion such that the opening means provides access to the interior space.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of garment bags. In particular, it relates to an adjustable, reusable garment bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garment bags, and similar products such as dry-cleaning bags, are designed to fill a dual role of protecting an article of clothing, often a suit or dress, while additionally enabling easy transportation of the article. The most common and basic version of the garment bag, which is in widespread use at dry cleaners, consists of a thin plastic bag, with an open bottom and a substantially closed top, generally with a small opening to permit passage of the end of a clothes hanger. These bags are considered to be cost effective and easy to manufacture, however, they provide limited protection to the clothing within, due to the open bottom, and no assistance in transportation. In addition, such bags are generally discarded after a single use. With the drive towards more environmentally friendly products and the reusable articles, for example, as provided in grocery stores with reusable bags, there is a need in the art for an environmentally friendly and reusable dry cleaning, or other garment carrying bag.

Furthermore, access to multiple articles in a single bag is difficult, due to the closed top inhibiting access to the hangers and preventing easy separation of the articles of clothing.

Other garment bags include suit storage bags that are typically elongated bags with a zipper providing an opening within which an entire suit may be hung. Such bags may be convenient for transporting single suits or suit jackets, but are cumbersome when transporting clothes to a drycleaners. Furthermore, they are bulky and otherwise awkward to transport when there are no hangers within them from which to carry the bag.

There is a need for a garment bag that provides for easier transportation and carrying by the user. There is also a need for a garment bag that provides easier access to multiple garments stored within the bag. Ideally, such a garment bag should be durable and reusable.

Additionally, there is a need for a garment bag that requires a minimum of space for storage and use.

It is an object of this invention to partially or completely fulfill one or more of the above-mentioned needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a garment bag including a base portion having a closed bottom and one or more sidewalls extending from the closed bottom to a top region to define an interior space, a collapsible portion having an open bottom end, the bottom end attached to the one or more sidewalls around a perimeter thereof and proximate the top region of the base portion. The collapsible portion is formed from a flexible material and includes an opening means. The collapsible portion is positionable in a first position in which the collapsible portion is collapsed into the interior space and a second position in which the collapsible portion extends away from the top region of the base portion such that the opening means provides access to the interior space. Preferably, the collapsible portion further includes a generally enclosed top end and said opening means is formed on a portion of the generally enclosed top end.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a handle means is connected to the base portion proximate the top region, and arranged such that when the upper potion is collapsed into the interior space, the garment bag can be carried by the handle means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the base portion is formed from a flexible material and further includes a rigid internal frame to maintain a predetermined shape.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an opening is provided on a top surface of the collapsible portion. The opening is preferably sized and dimensioned to permit a hanger to extend therethrough such that a garment positioned on the hanger may be enclosed within the garment bag, with a hook portion of the hanger extending out of the opening such that the garment bag may be hung when in the second position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a reinforcing ring is provided around the opening.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a pocket is formed on an exterior surface of the base portion.

Other and further advantages and features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an unfolded garment bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the garment bag of FIG. 1 in a collapsed position; and

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an internal frame structure for use with the garment bag of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a garment bag 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Garment bag 100 includes a base portion 110 preferably having a closed bottom 112 and one or more sidewalls 116 extending from the closed bottom 112 to a top region 114. The sidewalls 116 and closed bottom 112 together define an interior space 118 (see FIG. 2) accessible via top region 114.

A collapsible portion 120, preferably includes a generally enclosed top end 122 and an open bottom end 124 is attached to the one or more sidewalls 116 around a perimeter of the sidewalls and proximate the top region 114. The collapsible portion 120 is preferably formed from a flexible material and has an opening means 170 adapted to provide access to an interior area of the collapsible portion, and to provide access to the interior space 118 when the garment bag 100 is arranged as shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, the collapsible portion 120 is stitched to the base portion 110 along an entire perimeter, proximate the top region 114. The opening means 170 preferably provides access to the interior space 118, at least partially, along a portion of the generally enclosed top end 122.

Accordingly, the garment bag 100 is formed of a, preferably, semi-rigid base 110 and a flexible collapsible portion 120 such that the collapsible portion 120 and the base 110 each have open ends 114, 124 where they are connected to each other. The collapsible portion 120 is preferably positionable in a first position, as shown in FIG. 2, in which the collapsible portion 120 is collapsed into the interior space 118 and a second position, shown in FIG. 1, in which the collapsible portion 120 extends away from the top region 114 of the base portion 110 such that the opening means 170 is capable of providing access to the interior space 118.

The opening means 170 may, optionally, comprise a zipper extending along a sufficient portion of the collapsible portion 120 to allow access to the interior space and to allow positioning therein a garment mounted on a hanger. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that opening means 170 may comprise any device adaptable to open a generally flexible material, including, but not limited to, the aforementioned zipper, hook and loop fasteners, a drawstring as will be further described below, belts, buckles, clips and any other devices that may operatively be attached to two adjacent portions of a flexible material to generally adjoin and disjoin them to form an opening means. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that adjoin and disjoin may include devices that being the two portions into close proximity or contact, such that they are not directly adjoined, but do function to allow for an access point to the interior space 118.

In this manner, when the garment bag 100 is arranged as shown in FIG. 2, the collapsible portion 120 is folded, or collapsed, into the interior space 118 in a manner that allows the garment bag 100 to be carried like a suitcase, or handbag. To this end, handle means 150 are connected to the base 110 proximate the top region 114. In the preferred embodiment, handle means 150 are shown to be handles formed as loops, preferably out of a fabric material. Alternatively, any handle as would be known to one skilled in the art may be used, including but not limited to, a rigid-material loop, cut-outs formed in the base 110 adjacent a top perimeter 114, and other shapes and orientations of fabrics, or other flexible materials, that can facilitate holding or lifting of the garment bag.

When the garment bag 100 is arranged as shown in the second position, as shown in FIG. 1, the collapsible portion 120 is unfolded from the interior space 118 and extends outwardly therefrom, thereby forming an elongated space on an interior portion of both the collapsible portion 120 and the base 110. Preferably, the collapsible portion 120 will only be extended as shown in FIG. 1 when a tension is applied to the flexible material from which the collapsible portion is formed. As will be described in more detail below, this is possible, for example, when a garment (not shown) mounted on a hanger is positioned within the garment bag 100 in the second position, such that a hook portion of the hanger extends outside the garment bag 100 such that the hanger may be hung, or otherwise carried. When operating in this manner, the garment bag 100 serves as a protective enclosure to the garment within.

Optionally, the base 110 of the garment bag 100 may include internal sleeves 130 for retaining a generally rigid internal frame structure 150 therein (show in FIG. 3). In this alternative, the base 110 may be manufactured from a fabric material and have such internal sleeves 130 sewn, or otherwise attached, to the internal surfaces of the base 110. The internal frame structure 150 may be formed from a plastic, metal, or other semi-rigid material, and placed in appropriately positioned internal sleeves 130 to provide a frame for the base 110. Referring to FIG. 3, elongated portions 140 of the internal frame structure 150 may be placed in sleeves 130 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), and ring portion 135 will support a top perimeter 114 portion of the base 110. In this manner, the internal frame structure 150 may be easily removed. The internal frame structure 150 thus forms a removable insert that may be removed for ease of storage or for washing the garment bag 100, for example, in a laundry machine.

Referring back now to FIG. 1, the garment bag 100 may include an opening 180 on a top surface 122 of the collapsible portion 120. The opening 180 is preferably sized and otherwise dimensioned to permit the hook portion of a hanger (not shown) to extend therethrough, such that a garment positioned on the hanger may be enclosed within the garment bag, with a hook portion of the hanger extending out of the opening 180 such that the garment bag 100 may be hung when in the second position. Optionally, the opening 180 may be reinforced, for example, by way of a reinforcing ring, or a grommet, 182 positioned about the perimeter of the opening 180. Such a reinforcing ring 182 may be formed from a metal, plastic, or other material capable of providing protection to the collapsible portion from the wear arising from interaction of the material on the collapsible portion 120 interacting with the portion of the hanger extending out of the opening 180. The present invention further contemplates the inclusion of additional attaching devices positioned on the top surface 122 to hang the garment bag from a hook, a hanger, or other similar devices.

Optionally, the garment bag 100 may further include one or more pockets 160 formed on an exterior surface of the base 110. A pocket 160 may be used to store items associated with transporting garments within the bag, for example, hangers when the collapsible portion 120 is folded into the base 110. Such a pocket 160, may be sewn directly onto the base 100, or attached via other means known to a person skilled in the art. Pocket 160 may include a closure clip 162 attached to the base 110 and adapted to engage a top portion of the pocket 160 to hold it closed. Alternatively, other closure means may be used, such as a hook and loop fastening system, buttons, and others commonly known to one skilled in the art. Furthermore, the closure means may be omitted and the pocket 160 attached in a sufficiently taught manner that items stored within the pocket 160 do not easily fall out.

In one preferred operation, the user has the bag 100 in the folded position shown in FIG. 2, and preferably uses the bag 100 to store soiled clothes (laundry) that are to be taken for cleaning. When ready, the user takes the entire bag 100, with the clothes, to the cleaners and deposits the bag 100 at the cleaners along with the clothes. Upon return, the user receives the bag 100 in the unfolded position, with the cleaned clothes inside, for example, hanging from a hanger with the hook portion extending outside of the bag 100. Thus, the cleaned clothes can be readily carried and transported by the user and accessed within the bag 100. Once home, the user can remove the cleaned clothes for hanging in a closet, for example. Subsequently, the bag 100 may be collapsed again and stored, or placed to conveniently hold soiled clothes, and thereby act as a laundry hamper for clothes to be taken to the cleaners. This may be particularly applicable to shirts or dresses that can be placed into the garment bag when it is in the collapsed position, taken to a cleaning facility and returned with the cleaned shirts or dresses hung properly and protected within the garment bag.

According to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the opening means 170 comprises a drawstring (not shown) operatively attached to a perimeter portion of an opening formed in the collapsible portion. Preferably, in this embodiment, the internal frame structure 150 does not form part of the garment bag. Accordingly, the entirety of the garment bag may be generally flexible. The collapsible portion is then opened by loosening the drawstring, placing garments, such as dresses, inside, and pulling the drawstring taught around a hanger extending outside of the opening. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a garment bag thus formed is easier to construct and ideally suited for female garments, such as dresses. The garment bag of this embodiment is especially helpful in inserting and withdrawing a plurality of dresses into and out of the garment bag at the same time.

This concludes the description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention. The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is intended the scope of the invention be limited not by this description but by the claims that follow. 

1. A garment bag comprising: a base portion having a closed bottom and one or more sidewalls extending from said closed bottom to a top region to define an interior space; a collapsible portion having an open bottom end, said bottom end attached to said one or more sidewalls around a perimeter thereof, proximate said top region of said base portion. said collapsible portion formed from a flexible material and having an opening means; said collapsible portion positionable in a first position in which said collapsible portion is collapsed into said interior space and a second position in which said collapsible portion extends away from said top region of said base portion such that said opening means is operative to provide access to said interior space through said collapsible portion.
 2. A garment bag according to claim 1, wherein said collapsible portion further comprises a generally enclosed top end, and said opening means formed on a portion of said enclosed top end.
 3. A garment bag according to claim 1, further comprising handle means connected to said base portion proximate said top region, and arranged such that when said upper potion is collapsed into said interior space, said garment bag can be carried by said handle means.
 4. A garment bag according to claim 3, wherein said base portion is formed from a flexible material and further comprises a rigid internal frame to maintain a predetermined shape.
 5. A garment bag according to claim 1, further comprising an opening on a top surface of said collapsible portion, said opening sized and dimensioned to permit a hanger to extend therethrough such that a garment positioned on the hanger may be enclosed within the garment bag, with a hook portion of the hanger extending out of said opening such that the garment bag may be hung when in said second position.
 6. A garment bag according to claim 5, further comprising a grommet around said opening.
 7. A garment bag according to claim 1, wherein said opening means comprises a zipper.
 8. A garment bag according to claim 4, further comprising a pocket formed on an exterior surface of said base portion.
 9. A garment bag according to claim 1, wherein said collapsible portion comprises an access opening and said opening means comprises a drawstring operative to open and close said access opening. 